U.S. patent application number 13/583348 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-21 for printing blanket.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kouji Muraoka. Invention is credited to Kouji Muraoka.
Application Number | 20130042772 13/583348 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44833802 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130042772 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muraoka; Kouji |
February 21, 2013 |
PRINTING BLANKET
Abstract
To provide a printing blanket that enables good and rapid
printing on a nonlinear printing surface (e.g., a doughnut-shaped
outer surface). A printing blanket 10 is ring-shaped in plan view
and includes an attachment surface 1, an inward facing surface 2,
an outward facing surface 3, the inward and outward facing surfaces
2 and 3 being protruding surfaces, and ridge lines 4 which smoothly
connect the inward facing surface 2 and the outward facing surface
and which are substantially arc-shaped in section. A circle
connecting the ridge lines 4 serves as a pitch circle 5 having a
curvature radius P5. The printing blanket is suitable for printing
on a steering wheel 20 having a pitch circle 8 having a curvature
radius P8 which substantially coincides with the curvature radius
P5.
Inventors: |
Muraoka; Kouji; (Fukui,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Muraoka; Kouji |
Fukui |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
44833802 |
Appl. No.: |
13/583348 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
August 20, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/005140 |
371 Date: |
September 7, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
101/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41F 17/001 20130101;
B41F 17/006 20130101; B41M 1/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
101/35 |
International
Class: |
B41F 17/00 20060101
B41F017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 21, 2010 |
JP |
2010-097738 |
Claims
1. A printing blanket comprising an elastic body which is nonlinear
in plan view and which has a pair of side surfaces arranged in a
substantially V-shape in side view such that the side surfaces are
smoothly connected.
2. The printing blanket of claim 1, wherein the pair of side
surfaces are protruding surfaces which protrude laterally and the
pair of side surfaces are connected by ridge lines which are
substantially arc-shaped in section.
3. The printing blanket of claim 1, wherein the printing blanket is
used for printing on a printing surface which is a protruding or
recessed surface in side view and is ring-shaped or arc-shaped in
plan view, and wherein the radius of curvature of a pitch line
connecting the lowest points of the protruding surface or a pitch
line connecting the lowest points of the recessed surface
substantially coincides with the radius of curvature of a pitch
line connecting the central points of the ridge lines.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to printing blankets, and in
particular, relates to a printing blanket suitable for printing on
a nonlinear printing surface.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In pad printing, gravure printing, screen printing, and the
like, devices to increase printing accuracy have been proposed. For
example, the inventor of this application has disclosed an
invention which achieves multi-color printing with increased
printing accuracy using a printing pad and a relief printing
original plate in combination (refer to Patent Literature 1, for
example).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2-239972 (pp. 8-9, FIG. 3)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] A printing blanket (hereinafter, referred to as the
"blanket") used for printing disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is
substantially triangular prism-shaped or substantially pentagonal
prism-shaped such that specific ridge lines (hereinafter, referred
to as the "top") are smoothly connected and side surfaces
sandwiching the ridge lines are protruding surfaces. The blanket is
pressed against a flat or linearly curved surface (hereinafter,
referred to as the "printing surface") of a printing material such
that ink on the blanket is transferred to the printing surface,
thus achieving printing. In this case, the axis of the printing
surface (outer surface or inner surface of a cylinder or the like)
is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the blanket.
[0005] For example, assuming that the printing surface is not
linear, for example, the printing surface is a doughnut-shaped
outer surface (e.g., a steering wheel of a car), when the blanket
is pressed against the printing surface such that the longitudinal
direction of the blanket is parallel to a tangent line to the
circumference (or perpendicular to a radial line) at a
predetermined point, the top of the blanket is separated from the
highest part of the printing surface in the radial direction in a
position apart from the predetermined point.
[0006] Specifically, in the case where the top of the blanket is
allowed to substantially coincide with the highest part
(corresponding to the position of the North Pole in section) of the
printing surface in the vicinity of a predetermined point, the side
surfaces of the blanket are first pressed against an outward facing
portion of the printing surface in a position apart from the
predetermined point. Second, the side surfaces of the blanket are
gradually pressed against an inward facing portion of the printing
surface over the highest part of the printing surface.
[0007] Accordingly, air does not tend to be squeezed out of the
interface between the blanket and the printing surface, so that the
air remains between the blanket and the printing surface.
Disadvantageously, this leads to poor printing.
[0008] To achieve good printing, the length of the blanket has to
be reduced and printing (pressing the blanket) has to be performed
many times while the position of the blanket is being shifted in
the circumferential direction. Disadvantageously, this leads to a
complicated printing operation. The printing operation is
delayed.
[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the
above-described disadvantages and provides a printing blanket that
enables good and rapid printing on a nonlinear printing surface
(e.g., a doughnut-shaped outer surface).
Solution to Problem
[0010] (1) A printing blanket according to the present invention
includes an elastic body which is nonlinear in plan view and which
has a pair of side surfaces arranged in a substantially V-shape in
side view such that the side surfaces are smoothly connected.
[0011] (2) Furthermore, the pair of side surfaces may be protruding
surfaces which protrude laterally. The pair of side surfaces may be
connected by ridge lines which are substantially arc-shaped in
section.
[0012] (3) Furthermore, the printing blanket may be used for
printing on a printing surface which is a protruding or recessed
surface in side view and is ring-shaped or arc-shaped in plan
view.
[0013] The radius of curvature of a pitch line connecting the
central points of the ridge lines may substantially coincide with
the radius of curvature of a pitch line connecting the lowest
points of the protruding surface of the printing material or a
pitch line connecting the lowest points of the recessed surface
thereof.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0014] (i) Since the printing blanket according to the present
invention is nonlinear in plan view, the "ridge lines" in the
position where the pair of side surfaces are smoothly connected are
simultaneously pressed against a printing material, which is
nonlinear in plan view, upon printing. Accordingly, air is squeezed
out of the interface between the printing blanket and a printing
surface to prevent the air from remaining between the printing
blanket and the printing surface. Advantageously, this results in
good printing.
[0015] (ii) Furthermore, since the front surface of the printing
blanket has a "triangular rice ball"-like shape in section defined
by the ridge line which is substantially arc-shaped in section,
good printing can be achieved on a three-dimensional object
(protruding surface or recessed surface).
[0016] (iii) Furthermore, upon printing on a doughnut-shaped
printing surface (e.g., a steering wheel of a car), the radius of
curvature of a pitch circle connecting the central points of the
ridge lines of the printing blanket substantially coincides with
the radius of curvature of a center line (corresponding to a pitch
circle connecting the centers of substantially circular sections)
of the steering wheel. First, the entire circumference of the
circle connecting the ridge lines is simultaneously pressed against
the entire circumference of a circle corresponding to the highest
part of the steering wheel. Second, parts apart from the ridge
lines are gradually pressed against parts apart from the highest
part. Printing proceeds in substantially the same manner in any
position in the circumferential direction.
[0017] Accordingly, the air is prevented from remaining between the
printing blanket and the printing surface (steering wheel), thus
enabling good printing. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to provide a
plurality of printing blankets and perform printing multiple times
in the circumferential direction. Advantageously, this leads to a
simple and rapid printing operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 includes a plan view of a printing blanket according
to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and a sectional view
thereof.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a printing material for
explanation of the printing blanket of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 includes plan views of modifications of the printing
blanket of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 explain a printing blanket according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a plan view
thereof, FIG. 1(b) is a sectional view thereof as viewed from the
side, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a printing material as
viewed from the side. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically
illustrate the blanket and the printing material and the present
invention is not limited to illustrated shapes (e.g., the ratio of
an inside diameter to an outside diameter).
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1(a) and (b), the printing blanket
(hereinafter, referred to as the "blanket"), 10, is ring-shaped in
plan view and includes an attachment surface 1 used for
installation in a printing apparatus (not illustrated), an inward
facing surface 2, an outward facing surface 3, the inward and
outward facing surfaces 2 and 3 being protruding surfaces, and
ridge lines 4 which are substantially arc-shaped in section and
smoothly connect the inward facing surface 2 and the outward facing
surface 3. Furthermore, the inward facing surface 2 includes an
inward facing curved portion 2a having a relatively large radius of
curvature and an inward facing flat portion 2b which is
substantially flat. The outward facing surface 3 includes an
outward facing curved portion 3a having a relatively large radius
of curvature and an outward facing flat portion 3b which is
substantially flat. The inward facing curved portion 2a joins with
the outward facing curved portion 3a in the ridge lines 4. Since
the inward facing flat portion 2b is substantially parallel to the
outward facing flat portion 3b in section, the blanket 10 is
substantially pentagon-shaped (like a home base) in section.
Herein, a circle connecting the ridge lines 4 will be referred to
as a "pitch circle 5" and let P5 denote the radius of curvature
thereof.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, a steering wheel (corresponding to the
printing material) 20 is circular in plan view and has a
substantially circular cross section in side view. Specifically,
the steering wheel 20 has an upper surface 6 which is approximately
half a circle in section and a lower surface 7 which is
approximately half the circle in section. Herein, a circle
connecting the centers of the circular sections will be referred to
as a "pitch circle 8" and let P8 denote the radius of curvature
thereof.
[0024] In this case, the curvature radius P5 of the pitch circle 5
of the blanket 10 substantially coincides with the curvature radius
P8 of the pitch circle 8 of the steering wheel 20.
[0025] Upon printing on the upper surface 6 using the blanket 10,
therefore, the entire circumference of the circle connecting the
ridge lines 4 of the blanket 10 is first simultaneously pressed
against the entire circumference of a circle connecting the highest
points (corresponding to the North Pole) of the upper surface 6 of
the steering wheel 20. Second, the inward facing curved portion 2a
and the outward facing curved portion 3a are gradually pressed
against pars apart from the highest part of the upper surface 6
such that a contact portion approaches to the inward facing flat
portion 2b and the outward facing flat portion 3b while increasing
in area. Consequently, printing proceeds in substantially the same
manner in any position in the circumferential direction (or any
section perpendicular to the pitch circle 8).
[0026] This prevents air from remaining between the upper surface 6
of the steering wheel 20 and the inward and outward facing surfaces
2 and 3 of the blanket 10. Advantageously, good printing can be
achieved. In particular, since the angle which the inward facing
curved portion 2a forms with the outward facing curved portion 3a
is relatively large (obtuse angle), the inward facing surface 2 and
the outward facing surface 3 tend to be fitted to the outer surface
of the steering wheel 20, such that the blanket 10 covers the
entire upper half of the steering wheel 20 and part of the lower
half thereof (or covers the Northern Hemisphere and reaches the
Southern Hemisphere in the vicinity of the equator over the
equator). If the angle which the inward facing curved portion 2a
forms with the outward facing curved portion 3a is small (acute
angle), the amount of downward movement of the blanket 10 will be
increased, thus leading to an increase in volume of the blanket 10.
The efficiency of printing would be lowered and the cost of the
blanket would be increased.
[0027] The lower surface 7 of the steering wheel 20 can undergo
similar printing.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 3(a), a printing blanket (hereinafter,
referred to as the "blanket") 30 is a half-ring-shaped
(semicircular arc-shaped) in plan view and corresponds to
approximately half the blanket 10. Accordingly, it is suitable for
printing on a printing material which is semicircular arc-shaped in
plan view. To perform printing on the steering wheel 20 which is
ring-shaped, the same printing operation has to be performed twice
in the circumferential direction. Good printing can be achieved as
in the above description.
[0029] A blanket, serving as a piece obtained by substantially
equally dividing the blanket 10 into three or four pieces, may be
used instead of the blanket which serves as a piece obtained by
substantially equally dividing the blanket 10 in two.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3(b), a printing blanket (hereinafter,
referred to as the "blanket") 40 is elliptical in plan view. In
other words, it is suitable for printing on a printing material
which is elliptical in plan view. In this case, a pitch line 9
connecting ridge lines (not illustrated) of the blanket 40 is
substantially congruent with a pitch line (not illustrated)
connecting the highest points of the printing surface of the
printing material or a pitch line (not illustrated) connecting the
lowest points thereof.
[0031] The present invention does not limit the shape of a printing
material in plan view to a circle or an ellipse. A printing
material may have any shape. Furthermore, the printing surface of a
printing material is not limited to a protruding surface. The
printing surface may be a recessed surface. A pitch line connecting
the highest points of the protruding surface or the lowest points
of the recessed surface as the printing surface is substantially
congruent with the pitch line connecting the ridge lines of the
blanket 40.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0032] According to the present invention, since good printing can
be achieved on a nonlinear printing material, the printing blanket
is widely available for different shaped printing materials.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0033] 1 attachment surface
[0034] 2 inward facing surface
[0035] 3 outward facing surface
[0036] 4 ridge line
[0037] 5 pitch circle
[0038] 6 upper surface
[0039] 7 lower surface
[0040] 8 pitch circle
[0041] 9 pitch line
[0042] 10 blanket
[0043] 20 steering wheel
[0044] 40 blanket
[0045] P5 curvature radius
[0046] P8 curvature radius
* * * * *